Girl Scouts of Central Indiana

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The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:To serve God and my country,To help people at all times,And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to beHonest and Fair,Friendly and Helpful,Considerate and Caring,Courageous and Strong, andResponsible for what I say and do,And torespect myself and others,respect authority,use resources wisely,make the world a better place, andbe a sister to every Girl Scout.

Motto

"Be Prepared."

Slogan

"Do a Good Turn Daily"

Last Updated: Tuesday, 31 March 2015 20:14

Girl Scout Glossary and Acronyms

Adult Volunteer TrainingThe Council Board of Directors requires that all volunteers attend position training to ensure they understand the duties of the position they have agreed to perform and will learn about the organization itself.

Blue Book of Basic Documents (The Blue Book)GSUSA publication includes the national Constitution, by-laws, policies, and credential information.

GSUSAGirl Scouts of the USA

GSCIGirl Scouts of Central Indiana

Hancock Service UnitAn ongoing service delivery system where appointed operational volunteers support troop/group activities in a specific geographic area.

Girl Scout SignThree fingers of the right hand are extended to symbolize the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.

Quiet SignA technique used for obtaining silence at all Girl Scout meetings. This is done by raising the right hand and usually with the Girl Scouts sign. As others see a raised hand, they raise theirs and become quiet.

Girl Scout VolunteerAny adult who contributes their time to a local Girl Scout council or Girl Scouts of the GSUSA. without the expectation of compensation (other than reasonable reimbursement or allowance for expenses) or any other thing of value in lieu of compensation.

Safety

First-AiderAny adult who is certified in council-approved first-aid and CPR training from a nationally recognized organization.

Safety-WiseA GSUSA publication for adults who work with girls that outlines safety principles and supplies safety references for specific Girl Scout activities in the form of program and camping standards.

Troop / Program Glossary

Troop/GroupA group of girls with adult leadership who meet regularly and who voluntarily join the Girl Scout movement, meet membership requirements, and follow the Girl Scout program.

Try-ItNon-competitive award that Girl Scout Brownies may receive to symbolize participation, not performance, in selected activities. May be worn on the official Girl Scout uniform.

Troop Financial ReportA yearly report submitted to the council office by July 1st from troop leaders. This report documents how the troop funds were spent/managed.

BridgingThe process of moving from one program age level of Girl Scouting to another.

Buddy SystemA safety practice which requires that two girls keep watch over each other.

Kaper ChartA chart showing what job is assigned to each girl or patrol in any given project. It provides for rotation of jobs and sharing of work.

Friendship CircleEveryone stands in a circle and each person crosses her right arm over her left, clasping hands with her friends on both sides. Once everyone is silent, one girl starts the friendship squeeze by squeezing the hand of the person to her left. One by one, moving clockwise, each girl passes on the squeeze until it travels all the way around the circle. This is often used in a closing ceremony.

Friendship SqueezeAs everyone stands silently in the friendship circle, a squeeze is passed from hand to hand until it travels all the way around the circle.

SWAPs are crafts, usually handmade, that are swapped between Girl Scouts. The acronym, SWAPs, stands for “Something With A Pin” or “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.” The best SWAPs are girl-made and come with a message tag that identifies the Scouting event, troop, girl, or purpose of the SWAP. SWAPs should also include a safety pin or pin-back. Girl Scouts pin SWAPs on hats or hand-crafted SWAP holders.

International

Girl GuideA term used to identify Girl Scouts in many countries.

USA Girl Scout OverseasGirl Scout troops composed of girls and adults living temporarily in other countries, usually because the girls’ families are on military, governmental or business assignments.

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS)The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is a member of the World Association. Through this membership, each girl and adult are part of the Girl Guide and Girl Scout world movement.

Product Sales

Fall Product SaleA girl program designed to assist troops with start-up funds, offer girls recognitions and supports the council.

Cookie Sale ProgramA girl program to enhance leadership and teach life skills while earning girl recognitions, funds for the troop and general council support.

Little Brownie BakersOne of the two official Girl Scout Cookie bakers in the United States. GSCI uses Little Brownie Bakers.

Cookie ManagerAn adult volunteer who manages and coordinates the Girl ScoutCookie Sale within an assigned area.

Cookie DoughAwarded to girls for various levels of cookie sales; redeemable for programs, camping fees, membership dues and purchases through the council shop.

Council Sponsored ProgramsSupported through council staff and qualifies for use of cookie dough.

Council Shops

A council owned store where Girl Scout uniforms, insignia, and general Girl Scout merchandise may be purchased.

Service Unit

County ConsistentEach constituency shall be entitled to elect at least one delegate and one alternate delegate fourteen (14) years of age or older, registered through the Council

Camping / Field Trips

Troop CampingA camping experience of 24 or more consecutive hours planned and carried out by a troop/group of girls and adult volunteers.

Dunk BagA mesh bag used when camping to store and sterilize by dunking one’s personal dishes and silverware.

Emergency Contact PersonA person who will be available while your troop is away, who will know how to contact you, as well as contact parents/guardians of the girls in your troop in case of emergency or to notify of any delays or changes in plans.

Permission Form or Permission Slip

An authorization signed by parent(s) or guardian(s) to allow their child to participate in an activity. Required each time the troop leaves the regular meeting site.

Sit-Upon

A handmade cushion, preferably waterproof, used to sit on at a Girl Scout activity.

Girl Scout Celebrations / Holidays

Girl Scout BirthdayCelebrated March 12 to designate the first Girl Scout meeting held in the United States by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia in 1912.

Girl Scout WeekCelebrated each year during the week in which March 12 (the Girl Scout Birthday) falls. This week begins with Girl Scout Sunday and ends with the Girl Scout Sabbath.

Juliette Gordon Low (October 31, 1860 to January 17, 1927) Founder of the Girl Scout movement in the United States of America. Her nickname was “Daisy.” Troops and service units often celebrate her birthday on October 31st.

Thinking DayFebruary 22, the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. (Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the Scouting movement, Lady Baden-Powell was the World Chief Guide.) Celebrated as the day Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all over the world spend time thinking about the worldwide movement and send silent “hellos” to their counterparts around the globe.

Insignia

InsigniaAll pins, patches, badges, or other awards worn on the Girl Scout uniform.

Participation PatchesA fun patch that may be given to girls following a Girl Scout experience. All levels of Girl Scouting are eligible to receive them.

Proficiency BadgesThe proficiency badges in the Girl Scout Junior Badge Book encourage girls to gain knowledge, learn and improve skills, explore careers and make a difference in their communities. Badges are official uniform insignia.

Religious AwardsPrograms created and administered by various religious groups to encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith. Created by religious groups themselves, not GSUSA, but is recognized by GSUSA and may be worn on the official uniform.

World Association PinThe membership pin of WAGGGS, worn by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in member countries.

Ceremonies

InvestitureThe formal troop ceremony held to welcome someone into Girl Scouting for the first time.

RededicationA ceremony in which an individual renews the Girl Scout Promise and reviews the meaning of the Girl Scout Law. This ceremony may be held when new members are invested or at a separate ceremony some time during the year.

Scouts OwnA special ceremony created by a troop or group around a theme.